Results for Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited’s (SECI) auction to develop 1,500 MW inter-state transmission system (ISTS) connected solar power projects, tranche XIV, have been announced. The tender for the project was issued in January 2024. The projects will be set up anywhere in India. NTPC Renewable Energy has won 200 MW by quoting Rs 2.58 per kWh. Other companies have won the following capacities at the same tariff: ReNew – 300 MW, Avaada Energy – 300 MW, Solairedirect Energy India (ENGIE) – 100 MW, and SAEL Industries – 600 MW by quoting a tariff of Rs 2.57 per kWh.
The chosen developers are responsible for ensuring connectivity to the ISTS, which includes the transmission network reaching up to the interconnection or delivery point. Furthermore, the responsibilities of the project developer encompass locating appropriate land, overseeing the installation and ownership of the project, and obtaining the necessary approvals and connectivity for linking to either the ISTS network or state transmission utility (STU) or intra-state transmission system (InSTS) network, as necessary, to provide power to SECI. The project design should enable connection to either the ISTS or InSTS in accordance with regulations set by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission. The project developer has the option to place the project in the state where the purchasing entity is located for STU interconnection. If both the buying entity and the project are situated in the same state, the developer can choose to interconnect the project at either the STU or InSTS substation, following the minimum voltage level specified in accordance with the relevant state regulations. The declared annual capacity utilisation factor (CUF) should be at least 17 per cent. The winning developers are required to maintain annual CUF ranging between +10 per cent and -15 per cent of the declared value. Furthermore, SECI has mandated the use of indigenously manufactured solar modules from the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers.
